Medicare Blog

can my husband who had medicare be vounted toward a family hsa contribution

by Arlie Witting V Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Yes, if your spouse is otherwise HSA-eligible. Individuals don’t have to be the medical plan subscriber to be HSA-eligible. You or your spouse can then make tax-deductible contributions into their HSA, up to the family maximum if you remain covered on a family contract (even if only your spouse is HSA-eligible). For some couples, this provision in the law allows them to continue to contribute to an HSA (and build income tax-free balances for distribution in retirement) for several years after the older spouse enrolls in Medicare.

Yes, if your spouse is HSA-eligible and has an HSA, you — or anyone else — can contribute to their HSA. Your enrollment in Medicare doesn't disqualify your spouse from contributing to (or accepting contribution from others into) their HSA.

Full Answer

Can I contribute to my HSA if my wife has Medicare?

Your wife's Medicare coverage prevents her from being an individual eligible to contribute to an HSA but it has no effect on your eligibility for you to contribute to your HSA. ("You" in this reference is referring to a particular individual.)

Will my husband's ineligibility affect my HSA limit?

Your husband's ineligibility to contribute to his own HSA has no effect your contribution limit to your own HSA.

How much can I contribute to my spouse's HSA?

But beginning in the year that an HSA-eligible spouse turns age 55, he or she can make a $1,000 catch-up contribution annually. But your spouse must open his or her own Health Savings Account. You or anyone else can contribute to your spouse's account, but you can't make deposits through pre-tax payroll deductions from your paycheck.

Can I transfer my HSA assets to my spouse?

HSA assets may only be moved to a spouse’s HSA in the case of divorce, legal separation, or death. In the case of divorce or legal separation, a court order must specify that such transfer of ownership is to take place. Can a family HSA be changed to a single HSA?

Can I contribute to an HSA if my husband is on Medicare?

Your spouse on Medicare is not eligible to contribute to an HSA in his or her name, regardless of whether he or she is covered on your medical plan.

Can my wife contribute to her HSA if I am on Medicare?

Yes, being eligible to contribute to the HSA is determined by the status of the HSA account holder not the dependents of the account holder. Your spouse being on Medicare does not disqualify you from continuing contributions to the HSA up to the family limit, even if they are also covered by the HDHP.

Who counts as family for HSA?

We focus on three specific family members: a domestic partner (unmarried partner of either sex) • an ex-spouse • adult children who are no longer a parent's tax dependent but remain covered on the family medical plan. There is a separate paper outlining issues at the intersection of HSAs and divorce.

Can I contribute to my HSA if I am on Medicare?

Can I continue to contribute to my HSA once I'm enrolled in Medicare? No. You lose HSA eligibility once you enroll in Medicare, so you can't make additional contributions. You can contribute for months that you were eligible before you enrolled in Medicare.

Can I contribute to HSA if I have Medicare Part A?

If you enroll in Medicare Part A and/or B, you can no longer contribute pre-tax dollars to your HSA. This is because to contribute pre-tax dollars to an HSA you cannot have any health insurance other than an HDHP.

How much can a married couple over 55 contribute to an HSA in 2021?

For those 55 years and older, the 2021 HSA catch up contribution limit remains the same at $1,000. With a catch-up contribution, people who have self-only coverage can contribute up to $4,600 in 2021; those who have family coverage can contribute a maximum of $8,200.

How much can a married couple contribute to an HSA in 2020?

Both employee and spouse are eligible for HSA contributions. Each may contribute up to $3,500 for 2019 to their respective HSAs ($3,550 for 2020).

How much can a married couple over 55 contribute to an HSA in 2022?

For 2022, you can contribute up to $3,650 if you have self-only coverage or up to $7,300 for family coverage. If you're 55 or older at the end of the year, you can put in an extra $1,000 in "catch up" contributions.

What happens if you don't meet your HSA deductible?

If a person finds they do not meet their high deductible for the year, yet contributed the maximum amount to their HSA, the money can roll over and keep earning interest. When a person retires, and they have money in their HSA, they can use this money to help pay for Medicare expenses.

Why do people contribute to HSA?

Some people will contribute a significant amount to their HSA in preparation for their retirement. When they retire and start to receive Medicare benefits , they can then use the HSA to pay for health expenses.

What is an HSA account?

An HSA stands for a health savings account. People who have HDHPs will often utilize HSAs as a way to save money on healthcare expenses.

What is the Medicare Part B copayment?

For Medicare Part B, this comes to 20%. Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount that an insured person pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.

What is the difference between coinsurance and deductible?

Coinsurance: This is a percentage of a treatment cost that a person will need to self-fund. For Medicare Part B, this comes to 20%.

What happens if you don't use your HSA?

If a person does not use their HSA in a year, the funds can roll over into the next year. The HSA can earn interest, and the government will not tax a person on interest earned. Also, as long as a person uses the funds to pay for qualifying healthcare expenses, they will not pay tax on removing the funds.

Do HDHPs count towards income?

An employer can also contribute to an HSA, and the contribution does not count toward a person’s income, meaning they will not be taxed.

Does my spouse's FSA cover me?

That means that your spouse's general Health FSA covers you. . . Even if you don't want to be covered. . . Even if you never submit a claim for an expense that you incur. . . Even if your spouse waives his or her employer's medical coverage.

Can my spouse add me to my HSA?

A far less common example is when you're enrolled in an HSA-qualified plan, but your spouse also enrolls in coverage, that plan isn't H SA-qualified, and your spouse adds you to that plan. This scenario rarely occurs today, as the cost of coverage discourages both spouses from subscribing to coverage.

Can my spouse open a health savings account?

Otherwise, your spouse's coverage decisions don't affect your eligibility to open and fund a Health Savings Account . Your spouse's enrollment in Medicare or TRICARE, or your spouse's receiving care through the Veterans Administration or Indian Health Services, or your spouse's participation in a direct-primary care arrangement don't disqualify you from opening and funding an account. These situations disqualify your spouse from contributing to his or her account, but not you.

Can a health savings account affect a family?

Although Health Savings Accounts are personal financial accounts, they do affect the family. And the family can affect the account. Let's examine how a spouse can boost the benefits that you derive from your Health Savings Account . . . or derail your best-laid financial plans. Spousal Disqualification.

Is my spouse's HSA tax free?

Distributions for your spouse's qualified expenses are always tax-free. Your spouse doesn't have to be HSA-eligible; he or she can be enrolled in Medicare or other disqualifying coverage. Your spouse doesn't have to be covered on your medical plan. your spouse doesn't need to share a bedroom with you.

Can spouses make pre-tax payroll deductions?

Your spouse's company may allow him or her to make pre-tax payroll deductions. But this situation is rare, and occurs only when your spouse's employer offers a Health Savings Account program to its employees and has included a provision in its Cafeteria Plan allowing payroll deductions for employees who are covered by an HSA-qualified plan that the company doesn't sponsor.

Can my spouse's HSA disqualify me from opening an account?

Your spouse's benefit may disqualify you from opening and funding an account, even if you're covered on an HSA-qualified medical plan.

What is an HSA account?

Like an IRA, an HSA is an individual account and must be established in the name and tax identification number (TIN; typically a Social Security number) of one individual. Although the individual may have family coverage under a high deductible health plan (HDHP), and assets in an HSA can be used to pay qualified medical expenses for ...

What is the annual limit for self-only HSA?

The annual limit for eligible individuals with self-only coverage is $3,450 for 2018 and $3,500 for 2019.

What does "self only" mean in HSA?

Many financial organizations include the words “family” or “single” (or “self-only”) in the titles of their HSAs to designate the type of HDHP coverage that the HSA owner has, signaling the amount that an HSA owner can contribute.

Can an HSA owner use HSA assets?

The HSA owner can still use her HSA assets for any qualified medical expenses incurred after the HSA was established , even if no longer contribution-eligible. Eligibility determines if the HSA owner can contribute, not whether she can use the assets accrued in the HSA.

Can an HSA be moved to another HSA?

Therefore, the assets belong only to that HSA owner and can only be moved to another HSA owned by that same person —an HSA established in that HSA owner’s name and TIN. HSA assets may only be moved to a spouse’s HSA in the case of divorce, legal separation, or death.

Can an HSA have multiple authorized users?

Some financial organizations allow an HSA to have multiple authorized users to accommodate payment of medical expenses for multiple individuals. But all distributions—no matter which authorized user removed money from the HSA—are reported in the HSA owner’s name and TIN.

Can an HSA owner with family HDHP move assets to her spouse's HSA?

Can an HSA owner with family HDHP coverage move assets from her HSA to her spouse’s HSA? No. Even though both individuals are covered under the family HDHP, and both may be eligible to make contributions to their own HSAs, each HSA is in each person’s name and TIN.

How Much Can I Contribute to a HSA?

The IRS sets limits that determine the combined amount that you, your employer, and any other person can contribute to your HSA each year. For 2021, the maximum contribution amounts are $3,600 for individual coverage and $7,200 for family coverage (rising to $3,650 for individuals and $7,300 for families in 2022). 3 4 You can add up to $1,000 more as a "catch-up" contribution if you are age 55 or older. 5

Who Benefits Most from a HSA?

HDHPs and HSAs often make the most sense for people who are relatively healthy with minimal expectations for annual healthcare costs. HDHPs usually offer lower premiums for the tradeoff of higher deductibles that would need to be paid if an emergency arises. This is what makes the combination of a HDHP and HSA very beneficial. Plan owners can potentially save indefinitely through a HSA for any emergencies that may require a high deductible payment.

What is HDHP in healthcare?

Generally speaking, a HDHP is a healthcare plan that trades relatively low premiums for relatively high deductibles, as its name implies. To qualify for a HSA that can be opened in combination with a HDHP, the HDHP must meet certain criteria. The IRS establishes guidelines each year, adjusting the figures for inflation. In 2020, a HSA account can only be opened if the account owner’s plan meets the following qualifying criteria:

What is HDHP insurance?

Generally speaking, a HDHP is a healthcare plan that trades relatively low premiums for relatively high deductibles, as its name implies. To qualify for a HSA that can be opened in combination with a HDHP, the HDHP must meet certain criteria.

Why are HSAs important?

HSAs as Savings/Investing Tools. HSAs offer a tax shelter. For savvy investors this can create an opportunity to accumulate capital gains that can be withdrawn tax-free for medical expenses. Investment options, of course, can become more important if you have a larger HSA balance.

How to open an HSA?

According to federal guidelines, you can open and contribute to a HSA if you : 1 Are covered under a qualifying high-deductible health plan which meets the minimum deductible and the maximum out of pocket threshold for the year 2 Are not covered by any other medical plan, such as that for a spouse 3 Are not enrolled in Medicare 4 Are not enrolled in TRICARE or TRICARE for Life 5 Are not claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return 6 Are not covered by medical benefits from the Veterans Administration 7 Do not have any disqualifying alternative medical savings accounts, like a Flexible Spending Account or Health Reimbursement Account

When was HSA established?

HSAs were established in 2003, as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act.

How many spouses can open an HSA?

Only one spouse opens an HSA, and only that spouse may contribute to the HSA.

What is the HSA rule?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has special rules regarding Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and how they should be managed. Those rules can be confusing—especially for married spouses who have more than one reimbursement account, or if they work for the same employer. Here are some tips to help you better understand HSA rules.

Does Annie have HMO?

How It Works. Let’s look at one example: Annie has individual-only HMO coverage with her employer. Annie is not eligible to make HSA contributions. Annie’s spouse, Bob, participates in a qualified HDHP at work and enrolls in family coverage.

Can an HSA be used for spouse?

When choosing a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) that qualifies for use with an HSA (qualified HDHP), remember that the IRS views Health Savings Accounts as individually owned, but your employees’ HSA funds can be used for their spouses and any other tax dependents —regardless of if they choose individual or family coverage.

Can Bob contribute to Annie's HSA?

Bob may contribute up to the family coverage maximum to his HSA, and may also use his HSA funds to pay Annie’s eligible medical expenses. In this situation, the advantage of one spouse having family coverage is the ability to contribute the family maximum to the HSA.

Is HSA taxed in California?

HSA contributions are not subject to federal income tax and most states income tax. State income tax may apply in California and New Jersey. Please consult a tax advisor for your state’s specific rules.

Can two spouses contribute to HSA?

Under current rules, two spouses may not both contribute to a single HSA via payroll de duction.

What is the maximum amount you can contribute to an HSA in 2022?

In 2022, the maximum annual contribution an individual can make to an HSA is $3,650. For families in 2022, that number is $7,300. 1 That’s not a whole lot more than 2021, but let’s take what we can get! And take note, these numbers include what your employer contributes too.

What is an HSA account?

It’s called a health savings account, or HSA. Like the name suggests, an HSA is a savings account for your health. It’s money you can set aside just for medical expenses.

How much is an HSA 2020?

Find out if you're eligible for an HSA. In 2020, that’s a plan with a minimum annual deductible of $1,400 for individuals and $2,800 for families. It also has to have a maximum annual out-of-pocket expense of $6,900 for individuals ...

What is the maximum out of pocket expense for 2022?

3 It also has to have a maximum annual out-of-pocket expense of $7,050 for individuals and $14,100 for families. 4 (An out-of-pocket maximum means the most you’ll pay—on deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, but not your premium— before your health insurance covers 100% of the remaining balance.) 5 If you meet those qualifications, you’re in!

What is skipping health insurance?

Skipping health insurance is like whitewater rafting without a life jacket. When you go overboard, you’ll wish you’d put one on. And one great way to stay afloat is with an HDHP.

Does California tax HSA contributions?

But heads up, California and New Jersey residents: These states don’t offer state income tax deductions for your HSA contributions. If you’re still unsure or confused, reach out to one of our Endorsed Local Providers (ELPs) who will walk you through your options based on your state’s rules.

Is there a free lunch for HSA 2020?

HSA Rules for 2020. Since there’s no such thing as a free lunch, you’re going to have to follow some rules in order to get all the great benefits of an HSA. Other than the few qualifications you need to meet for eligibility, the majority of the rules for HSAs are around withdrawals and investments. Let’s take a look.

How much can an adult child contribute to an HSA?

So, the parent (your employee) could have an HSA and contribute the allowed maximum family contribution of $6,750 and the dependent adult child could contribute up to $6,750. This allows the employee’s HSA funds to be used for the spouse and other qualified dependents, while the adult child has his own funds to use for qualified expenses.

What is the difference between ACA and HSA?

The ACA requires major medical plans to cover dependents to the age of 26, but it doesn’t require these dependents to be tax dependents.

How to prevent HSA rule breaking?

The best way to prevent HSA rule breaking is to educate your employees on these dependent child rules, as well as ask questions during enrollment. Ask your employees:

Can an HSA be used for dependents?

To use HSA funds for dependent expenses, the dependent must specifically be able to be claimed as a dependent on the HSA owner’s tax return. Because of this, a scenario could exist where an employee’s adult dependents are covered on the medical plan, but the employee’s HSA cannot be used to cover medical expenses for those dependents.

Can a child's HSA be used for medical expenses?

Also, the child’s HSA can only be used for the child’s qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses. Child Dependents of Divorced Parents. For purposes of qualifying medical expenses, under some circumstances, a child of divorced or separated parents can be treated as a dependent of both parents.

Is HSA taxed in California?

HSA contributions are not subject to federal income tax and most states income tax. State income tax may apply in California and New Jersey. Please consult a tax advisor for your state’s specific rules.

Is HSA contribution subject to federal tax?

Browse medical supplies, over-the-counter medication, prescriptions, and more. Visit HSAStore.com. HSA contributions are not subject to federal income tax and most states income tax. State income tax may apply in California and New Jersey. Please consult a tax advisor for your state’s specific rules. ESB-6111-0919.

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